By Netball Queensland
A life member of the Brendans Netball Club and Western Districts Netball Association (WDNA), June had a long involvement in Queensland netball across many decades.
June’s leadership and innovation earned her respect and admiration across the netball community and beyond, from young athletes beginning their netball journey to politicians and world netball administrators.
As well as being a selector and coach of WDNA representative teams from Under 14s to A-Grade, June was Association President from 1986-1999, Treasurer from 1982-86 and Coaching and Development Convenor from 1980-86.
June also acted as Manageress/Coach for touring WDNA Representative teams to Sydney (1977), the AIS (1984-86) and New Zealand (1989).
Her coaching career included leading WDNA to multiple A-Grade premierships, with a knack for analysing matches on the fly and offering advice in-game to achieve success.
Her time at the helm of WDNA also included a period of growth where the association went from operating out of a small tin shed, which was destined for the dump, to become the office space until the permanent building and state of the art facilities was built at Faulkner Park in 1996.
Subsequently the building was expanded as the Association grew to becoming the largest association in Queensland at the time. After the 2011 floods, June was the first to call in her vast network of council, state government and friends to get the building and courts back into order so that the community could play the great game of Netball.
June was elected to the NQ Executive Committee in 1980. She continued with roles at WDNA and NQ until she stepped down from her role with WDNA after 14 years following election as President of NQ in 1999.
During her tenure her visionary approach led to the purchase of the building at Moorooka which served as NQ headquarters, the development of the first State Netball Centre at Klumpp Road and ultimately Nissan Arena.
She recognized that there were so many players that deserved the chance to play at a higher level and introduced Dairy Farmers Cup which has since evolved into today’s Hart Sapphire Series and the Challenge Carnival which catered to so many aspiring netballers.
June’s leadership was premised on people being the heart of the game and that everyone was important (players, coaches and umpires). She recognised that these three aspects were integral to the success of each individual component as much as the whole. The members knew that she was never too busy to listen, had time for everyone and had the best interests of Netball at heart.
June encouraged and supported her four daughters – Janet, Diane, Helen, and Linda – who all played netball at a high level with Janet going on to represent Australia and the Queensland Firebirds without neglecting her son Clifton and his various interests and activities.
In 2008, June and husband Cliff welcomed Romelda Aiken-George into their home when the then-teenager was recruited by the Firebirds.
Their hospitality played a key role in helping the young Jamaican settle into life on the other side of the world as Aiken-George went on to become a Firebirds legend.
Netball Queensland honours June’s incredible contribution to our sport. Our thoughts are with June’s family at this difficult time.
Funeral details: Wednesday 12 July at 9.30am, Sherwood Uniting Church, 706 Sherwood Rd, Sherwood QLD 4075
(Whilst flowers are welcomed, the family would be grateful for donations to The Mater Foundation, an organisation close to June’s heart.)
